THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6016, 26 August 1887, Page 3

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Annual Meeting.

For the twenty-eighth annual meeting I of the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon, the President, Mr John Cooke, haß prepared a very voluminous statement, ; equal to more than four columns of printed matter, to say nothing of the ordinary rei port, which is also a lengthy production. The President firat of all compares the produce markets of August 1886 and 1887, in order to show that the spending power of the producer has been seriously curtailed. The current prices for wool, however, are described as fairly remunerative to the grower. After reviewing the last Canterbury grain crop, it is contended that Australia will in the future require to lean on us to a great extent, and that another outlet may be found on the Eastern Coast of South America. The present low value of frozen mutton in England was not to be regarded as an unmixed evil ; an average of 4d might be reckoned on, with lower charges. The cultivation of grass seed was becoming a most valuable factor in Canterbury. With regard to the agriculture of the present season, it was estimated that on the 188(5 figures an increase of fully 30 or 40 per cent would be shown. The value of irrigation is touched upon. In the matter of new produce markets, there had, during the year, been shipments of pelts, &c., to California, of horsesto India,andof miscellaneoussupplies to Brazil. Communication with India, too, was tending to become more frequent. The manufacturing industries, it was claimed, had held their own during the year. Any serious interference with our harbour fortifications was to be deprecated. In the matter of bankruptcies, the comparison with Otago was as follows : — Otago, 1884,190; 1885, 238; 1886, 262. Canterbury, 1884, 303; 1885, 323; 1886, 283. In his concluding remarks the President said : " I trust that I have been able not merely to dwell hopefully on the prospects of the producing interests of the Colony, but to give sound reasons for the faith that is in me."

The following members were present : — Mr John Cooke, President (in the chair), and Messrs Hill Fisher, Gill, Wigram, F. Banks, J. Cameron, J. S. Jamieson, Roper, Chryßtall, W. Harris, W. Eeece, Waymouth, Graham, M. Gardner, W. D. Meares, P. Cunningham, Fergusson, Shand, Alan Scott, J. L. Scott, ActonAdams, Langdon, R. W. England, J. J. Fletcher, Wood, J. Gibbs, Stead, Harley, Cuff, Moir, Humphreys, Hon E. W. Parker, and others.

An apology was made for Mr A. C. Wilson.